In particular, the AACR wishes to assist its members and other cancer researchers in the region whose personal and professional lives have been devastated by this disaster. Valuable research that one day could save lives from cancer has been placed in jeopardy.
To find a safe haven for this work, the AACR is launching a series of "Saving the Science" initiatives so that progress against cancer will continue uninterrupted.
The initiatives, which are being made available this week, include:
- Establishment of an online, searchable registry for scientists, clinicians, students, and fellows displaced by the hurricane;
- Creation of a portal enabling research institutions to offer temporary placements, laboratory or office space, equipment, or other critical aid;
- Underwriting of an "AACR Saving the Science Emergency Fund" for relocation travel grants and other relocation needs, travel grants to meetings, and other expenses;
- Other offers of special considerations for cancer researchers, clinicians, students, and fellows from the Gulf Coast region, to allow them to participate fully in AACR's programs during this critical period.
Those wishing to sign up for the online registry for displaced scientists or for the portal for institutions volunteering to help should click on www.aacr.org.
Anyone or any organization wishing to donate to the AACR Saving the Science Emergency Fund can do so now through the AACR website. All contributions from the fund, established and underwritten by AACR to provide critical assistance to cancer researchers and clinicians directly affected by the storm, will be used directly to support:
- Temporary relocation to a host institution, thus allowing researchers to continue their important research;
- Facilitation of collaborations among colleagues by providing travel support; and
- The means to stay abreast of the latest developments in cancer research through participation in scientific meetings and conferences.
Please note that the AACR Website has established links to other public and private resources offering assistance and communications to Gulf Coast residents, including temporary websites created by Tulane University, Louisiana State University and Xavier University.
For further information about how to participate in these initiatives, please refer to the AACR website or send an email to: savingthescience@aacr.org.
Founded in 1907, the American Association for Cancer Research is a professional society of more than 24,000 laboratory, translational, and clinical scientists engaged in all areas of cancer research in the United States and in more than 60 other countries. AACR's mission is to accelerate the prevention and cure of cancer through research, education, communication, and advocacy. Its principal activities include the publication of five major peer-reviewed scientific journals: Cancer Research; Clinical Cancer Research; Molecular Cancer Therapeutics; Molecular Cancer Research; and Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. AACR's Annual Meetings attract nearly 16,000 participants who share new and significant discoveries in the cancer field. Specialty meetings, held throughout the year, focus on the latest developments in all areas of cancer research.